Stephen Hawking urged us to leave our planet – here are 11 ways to do so

6. Zero Gravity Corporation

If your main desire from a space flight is the chance to sample weightlessness, you can achieve this without spending the best part of a lottery jackpot.

Virginia-based aeronautical specialist Zero Gravity Corporation is among a handful of companies to offer flights which proffer this intriguing condition – achieving zero gravity via a series of rapid rises and descents, at an angle of 45 degrees, between 24,000ft and 32,000ft.

Participants find themselves “floating” during the experience, which has been referred to as the “vomit comet”. Trips take place aboard a specially modified Boeing 727, with departures available from US cities such as Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, Orlando and San Francisco. Prices begin at US$4,950 (£3,873) per person.